An international Ramsar site, Tanguar Haor, sprawling across Madhyanagar and Tahirpur upazila in Sunamganj district, is on the verge of destruction due to Pollution.
Not only pollution but also uncontrolled tourism and administrative apathy are leading to the disappearance of fish, birds, loss of aquatic plants and the erosion of the haor residents' culture.
Despite being declared an 'Ecologically Critical Area' in 1999 and recognized as a 'Ramsar Site' in 2000, the environment and biodiversity of Tanguar Haor have not been preserved. Sixty-seven percent of the 9,727-hectare haor lies in Madhyanagar, with the remainder in Tahirpur. It was once known as a 'Mother Fishery.'
After a long period under lease management, Tanguar Haor came under the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2000. From 2001 to 2019, multiple projects were undertaken with IUCN's support. However, locals allege that these projects did not result in effective conservation rather, they were 'token presences.'
Golam Noor, a resident of Bhandarchapur village said that he worked on IUCN's co-management project in the haor for a long time but the crisis in the haor persists. He added that they were not even informed about the budget allocated for that project. After 2019, there were no projects, leaving no one accountable for the haor's protection.
A study by Bangabandhu Maritime University revealed that while 141 species of native fish were once found, only 58 species now remain. Mrityunjoy Kundu, Professor of Aquatic Resource Management Department at Sylhet Agricultural University said, "Illegal nets, excessive hunting, water pollution and tourist houseboats are destroying breeding grounds."
It's not just fish, birds are also turning away. According to the Bangladesh Birds Club, while around 500,000 migratory birds used to visit the haor in winter, the 2025 census shows the number has plummeted to just 23,000. This decline is attributed to noise pollution, plastic waste, poisoned bait and lack of food.
Aquatic plants like Hijal, Koroch, Borun, Shaluk and Shapla which once floated on the haor's waters, have almost vanished. The combined effects of tourists' boisterous activities, people stepping into the water to take photos at the base of trees and boat propellers cutting through vegetation mean that aquatic plants can no longer survive. Researcher Pavel Partha commented, "With no effective policy in this area, sensitive species are on the verge of extinction."
A joint study published in April 2025 by Noakhali Science and Technology University, BUET and BCSIR, detected harmful levels of nickel, lead, zinc, chromium, copper and manganese in the waters of Tanguar Haor.
According to researchers, the sources of these heavy metals include chemical waste discharged from Indian coal mines, pesticides and houseboat waste.
ASM Saifullah, Professor of Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University said, "Through this water, both fish and humans are at extreme health risks. Heavy metal pollution accumulates in fish. Consuming such fish can even lead to fatal cancer."
Nearly 400 houseboats operate in the haor daily. Most of these vessels disregard designated routes, play loud music and leave behind plastic waste, including liquor bottles. This damages tree roots, destroys fish breeding grounds and injures local farmers with glass shards during the agricultural season.
Md. Magfi Reza Siddique, director of Dahuk, said, "Billions of plastic waste has accumulated beneath Tanguar Haor, posing a severe threat to biodiversity."
In 2025, a new five-year project, "Community-Based Management of Tanguar Haor Ecosystem," was adopted with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The budget is $4.05 million, with goals of sustainable management, biodiversity conservation and local involvement.
However, locals fear that "even if the intentions are good, the implementation should not turn into another farce."
Experts say the future of Tanguar Haor rests on four pillars: conservation of native fish, protection of Hijal and Koroch trees, ensuring bird sanctuary and pollution-free water.
Dr. Mohammad Elias Miah, Deputy Commissioner of Sunamganj, attributed the haor's deteriorating condition to haor-centric economic activities, the natural drying up of canals and "Las Vegas-style tourism." He said, "UNDP currently has a project in Tanguar Haor. The district administration is overseeing the haor. We are particularly emphasising the conservation of the haor's sanctuary, biodiversity and environmental protection."
Tanguar Haor is not merely a wetland; it is the source of livelihood for those living around it and a symbol of Bangladesh's international environmental identity. Its revitalization is impossible without specific planning, local participation, and administrative accountability.
RA/NSA
